Laguna Chuchon

Laguna Chuchon

Peru, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

4,465 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up thrill-seekers, because the 20A highway to Laguna Chuchon in Peru is not for the faint of heart! This gravel road, snaking its way up to a staggering 4,465m (14,648ft) in the Lima Region, is a true test of driving skills and nerve.

Linking Lima and Colquijirca, this route offers mind-blowing mountain views that'll leave you breathless. But hold on tight – we’re talking seriously exposed edges, with sheer drops of hundreds of meters and absolutely no guardrails. If you're prone to vertigo, this might be one to skip!

Be prepared for anything. At this altitude, heavy mist can roll in quickly, and snowfalls can shut the road down at any time. Avalanches, landslides, and icy patches are real possibilities. The climb is brutal, the air is thin, and altitude sickness is a definite concern. They say the road to San José de Parac nearby is even scarier, but honestly, this one's already pushing the limits!

Where is it?

Laguna Chuchon is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -6.9661, -73.4262

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
4,465 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-6.9661, -73.4262

Related Roads in south-america

Where Is Chicarhuapunta?hard

Where Is Chicarhuapunta?

🇵🇪 Peru

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Chicarhuapunta in the Peruvian highlands! Perched way up in the Cordillera Blanca range in Huaylas Province, we're talking a whopping 4,289 meters (14,071 feet) above sea level. This isn't your average Sunday drive. The 141km (88-mile) stretch from Pueblo Libre to Huambacho follows Carretera 104 (AN 104) and throws a mixed bag your way – paved bits and unpaved sections that will keep you on your toes. Oh, and potholes. Lots of them! Get ready for a climb, because you'll be gaining 1,937 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of around 5.94%, but don't get complacent – some spots crank up to a leg-burning 12%! But the views? Totally worth it.

Where is Pascua Lama?hard

Where is Pascua Lama?

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, so you wanna hit up Pascua Lama? This insane international peak straddles the border between Argentina and Chile. It's seriously high, so be prepared for some thin air! You'll find this beast north of the town of Alto del Carmen, chilling in the southern part of the Atacama Desert. Once you conquer the summit, you'll be standing pretty close to the Pascua Lama mine site, which, FYI, is a point of contention with the local community. The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think super steep, unpaved mining road. It's a tough climb, to say the least. Now, a word of caution: this drive is NOT a walk in the park. If you've got any respiratory or heart issues, seriously reconsider. The altitude sickness is real, and it'll kick your engine's butt, too. Expect altitude effects around 13,000 feet! Oh, and there's also the Rio Encuentro bridge crossing between Argentina and Chile to look out for. Trust me, the views are insane, but this adventure definitely comes with some serious challenges.

Chollay-Punta Colorada Roadhard

Chollay-Punta Colorada Road

🇨🇱 Chile

Get ready for a breathtaking Chilean adventure on the Chollay-Punta Colorada road! Seriously, this drive is gorgeous. Think stunning mountain vistas and hairpin turns galore – we're talking over 30 of them winding through the Andes. Clocking in at 209km, this route links Chollay in the Atacama Region to Punta Colorada in the Coquimbo Region, hugging the Argentinian border. The good news is the road was recently asphalted, so the surface is smooth. The challenge? You're climbing high, really high. The highest point hits 3,573m (11,722ft), so be prepared for thin air. Altitude sickness is a real possibility, so take it easy! Extreme weather can also play a role, so keep an eye on the forecast. But trust me, the scenery is worth it!

Road to the Junín Lakes: Driving to Alcacocha, Tarusmachay, and Oshgomachayextreme

Road to the Junín Lakes: Driving to Alcacocha, Tarusmachay, and Oshgomachay

🇵🇪 Peru

Get ready for an epic Andean adventure! Deep in the heart of Peru's Central Andes, near Junín, lies a mind-blowing route that winds past three ridiculously gorgeous glacial lakes: Alcacocha, Tarusmachay, and Oshgomachay. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a high-altitude test of you and your vehicle through the stark beauty of the Meseta de Bombón. Forget smooth pavement – this is a classic "trocha," a white gravel track carving through a vast, treeless plateau. Imagine endless ichu grass swaying in the fierce Andean winds, with distant peaks as your only companions. It’s raw, exposed, and unbelievably scenic. Starting just north of Junín, you peel off the civilized 3N Road and onto this 14.9 km stretch of pure adventure. Don’t let the average gradient of 2.85% fool you; the real challenge is the altitude. You’ll be climbing a cumulative 426 meters in seriously thin air! The route flows organically through the mountains. First, you'll hit Laguna Alcacocha (at a dizzying 4,366m). Then, it's upwards to the highest point by Laguna Tarusmachay (4,443m), before leveling out a bit near Laguna Oshgomachay (4,430m). The whole drive is a slow, steady climb where you'll definitely feel your engine straining above 4,000 meters. Expect mostly loose gravel and compacted earth under your tires. In dry weather, it's dusty but manageable. But remember, this is extreme high-altitude driving! Oxygen is scarce, and you'll likely feel the effects of altitude sickness if you haven't acclimatized in Junín or nearby towns. Safety first, especially during the rainy season (November to April). Snowfall and landslides can make things seriously dicey. There are absolutely no services, no gas stations, and hardly any other vehicles out here. A 4x4 with good tires is essential, as the gravel gets slick when wet, and those steep sections demand traction. Before you ditch the 3N highway, give your ride a thorough check-up. Thin air makes engines work overtime, so check those tires and cooling system! That "lack of oxygen" also affects your reflexes and judgment. If you get a headache or feel dizzy, stop or head down immediately. This route is your ticket to the authentic Peruvian puna, far from the tourist throngs, where your only company might be alpaca herds and the serene, frigid lagoons.